WASHINGTON — Rocket Lab launched the first in a new generation of imaging satellites for BlackSky Feb. 18 at almost the same time SpaceX achieved a new milestone in recovery of Falcon 9 boosters.
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket lifted off from Pad B at the company’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 6:17 p.m. Eastern. The payload for the “Fasten Your Space Belts” mission, a BlackSky imaging satellite, deployed from the kick stage about 55 minutes later, with a planned circular orbit of 470 kilometers at an inclination of 59 degrees.
The spacecraft is the first Gen-3 satellite for BlackSky’s imaging constellation. The Gen-3 satellites can provide imagery at a resolution of 35 centimeters as well as perform observations at short-wave infrared wavelengths that can penetrate smoke and haze. The satellites also have optical intersatellite links to decrease latency.
“This launch represents a major inflection point for our global defense and intelligence customer base as BlackSky introduces very high-resolution Gen-3 capabilities to our high-frequency, low-latency monitoring constellation,” Brian O’Toole, chief executive of BlackSky, said in a Feb. 10 release about the upcoming launch.
He added that BlackSky planned “a regular cadence of additional launches over the coming year” but did not offer specifics. BlackSky signed a contract in August 2023 for five Electron launches.
This was the second Electron launch of the year and the 60th for the vehicle overall. The company has not disclosed a projected number of Electron launches for the year beyond estimating it will be more than the 16 Electron missions in 2024. The company said on its launch webcast that the next Electron launch was planned from New Zealand in “a few short weeks.”
Rocket Lab is scheduled to release financial results for 2024, which may include projections for 2025, on Feb. 27.
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